1905

FEBRUARY

“Aid for Russia.” [An appeal published in The International Socialist Review, Feb. 1905] As revolution against the oppressive Tsarist regime swept the vast Russian empire, a group of 15 leading luminaries of the Socialist Party of America consituted themselves as a fundraising committee, placing this appeal in the socialist press. “The cowardly murder of thousands of peaceful workingmen and women has revealed to the world the brutality of the Russian governing classes in all its hideous nakedness, and has made the hitherto inert masses of the Russian population susceptible to the world-redeeming gospel of socialism,” the appeal declared, adding that the financial resources of the Russian Social Democratic Workers Party were entirely inadequate to the grand task. Socialists were called upon to send funds for the RSDRP to Dr. S. Interman of New York, who would in turn cable the money to the Russian party. “If there ever was an occasion for a practical demonstration of the international solidarity of the socialist movement, this is the occasion. If it ever was our duty to assist our struggling brethren abroad, this is our duty now.” This appeal was signed by Victor Berger, John Chase, Eugene Debs, Ben Hanford, Max Hayes, Morris Hillquit, S. Interman, Alexander Jonas, Jack London, William Mailly, Algie Simons, Henry Slobodin, and Julius Wayland.

AUGUST

“The Industrial Convention,” by Eugene V. Debs. [Aug. 1905] Socialist Party leader Debs attacks what he claims was systematic and intentional misrepresentation and distortion in its reporting of the founding convention of the Industrial Workers of the World. Debs alleged that these papers “resorted to downright mendacity to accomplish their purpose of defeating a body of men who by their records had proved that they were above the corrupting influences of capitalist bribery and whose object it was to unite the working clas for their emancipation from wage-slavery.” The capitalist press was loyal to the AF of L, Debs charged, adding that “silly and stupid falsehoods” about DeLeon “capturing” the organization or Debs being “disgusted” with it would “have no effect” upon the body.

DECEMBER

“1905 Average Paid Membership by States, Socialist Party of America.” Alphabetical listing of official state-by-state totals of average paid membership in the SPA. Data for all 38 organized states is included. Top five state memberships included: Illinois (2,412), New York (2,083), California (1,710), Wisconsin (1,666 -- a massive gain from the previous year's total), and Ohio (1,541). Other states with more than 1,000 average paid members included Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Washington, and New Jersey. Oklahoma membership was up to 505, still trailing the unlikely state of Missouri.